Waratahs 2013

[Froggy]

I agree with some other posters that the big problem is 10. Barnes generally had a poor season at 10 last year, and would be better suited at 15 imo. I also remain to be convinced Foley is a 10. I like him, think he's got great potential as an exciting attacking runner, but not convinced he is a ball player, or has the kicking game for a 10 at this level. I'd probably prefer him at 12. That leaves our best option in the named squad as Lane, but he is relatively untested at this level.

By the way, I'd play Turner over Betham any day. The last test Turner played (v the AB in 2011 in Sydney before the WC) he was nearly the best player on the paddock, Deans then ignored him for the WC, and he's had injury issues ever since. And he's still only about 24.

2013 pack looks great!

 

[TOCC]

i wouldn't dismiss Bernard Foley too soon either, he was showing glimpses of some good form in his appearances..

 

[Hawko]

i wouldn't dismiss Bernard Foley too soon either, he was showing glimpses of some good form in his appearances..

I wouldn't either, but the minute he even splits a fingernail we are totally and utterly screwed. We must have at least two 10's in the full squad - remember Nucifora and his mates can possibly force us to select someone else from the full squad before we can call up Lane on the grounds that EPS members can only be called in when full squad members are exhausted. In our case we would have to argue that only Foley is a 10, which would beg the question why we only have one 10 in the main squad.

I know if Foley gets injured they will have to put Barnes there. Provided we are playing a lowly ranked SA or Australian team we could just about cope, but against any NZ team or the best SA and Oz teams we will get murdered. Barnes will do what he has done every time he gets put under pressure - he'll drop 15 metres behind the gain line and either kick horribly or put the whole backline under immense pressure. That's what he did in the Super comp last year and against NZ. Under pressure he cannot operate close to the gain line - he needs room to figure it out because he doesn't play on instinct. He can only be a 10 against weaker northern hemisphere type teams where there is less pressure to operate without space.

Foley can, and I hope he will, but getting through a whole Super season without an injury is nigh on impossible and would totally burn him out. I want Saifoloi because he is a running attacker - I don't think there is anyone else with his skillset. There are a couple of exceptional young 10's in NZ but the chances of getting one of them are zero. They are all so good they have reasonable expectations of a black jersey.

Is there anyone else in Shute who could step up that's not already committed to a franchise? No, I thought not.

 

[qwerty51]

We must have at least two 10's in the full squad - remember Nucifora and his mates can possibly force us to select someone else from the full squad before we can call up Lane on the grounds that EPS members can only be called in when full squad members are exhausted.

I don't think that's a regulation? Getting the EPS confused with the National Academy I think. Nucifora would have no say over EPS which is Tahs only.

 

[tranquility]

Dat Peet Beefem can pley broo.

 

[Hawko]

I don't think that's a regulation? Getting the EPS confused with the National Academy I think. Nucifora would have no say over EPS which is Tahs only.

I may have it wrong, but I believe that last season if you wanted to bring an EPS player into the full squad to play you had to apply to the ARU and get their approval (that not being unreasonably witheld to use lawyer-speak).

 

[Lee Grant]

Good to see Jed Holloway officially named in the EPS.

I know he was in the Oz A schools team and went on the Pacific tour with a squad 2 years ago but he wasn't a schools star. Like a lot of youngsters at that age he has improved out of sight since his he left school compared to some of his more highly regarded contemporaries and now the Shute Shield Rookie of the Year has been rewarded with Super Rugby recognition.

Apart from his good club form he was one of the few Oz U/20 players to play with distinction in the IRB tournament this year.

He is the natural successor to Dean Mumm at the Tahs. He won't be big enough to be a specialist lock; so I see him as a 6 who can play lock. He played 8 at school also.

Talking of locks: none of them will be doing lineout calls since Dennis will inherit that job of Mumm's but who will do it when DD is not on the park? Watch this space.

But the main question about the Tahs is not who is in the player group and who will be doing what; the big question is whether or not the new coaching team can get the backline to fire when they get reasonable ball.

A bit of catch and passing practice - about 10 times a week - would do no harm, nor would some practice in deceiving opponents, nor playing flatter to the tackle line. Most of all though they need the will to try something other than kicking the ball - and if they do kick, to kick and chase it well.
.

 

[Slim 293]

I may have it wrong, but I believe that last season if you wanted to bring an EPS player into the full squad to play you had to apply to the ARU and get their approval (that not being unreasonably witheld to use lawyer-speak).

It's not that strict.

The Brumbies played all year with Mogg and Fardy despite having fully fit outside backs and locks.

I'm pretty sure if any one of your backs is injured you can bring in Lane.

 

[fatprop]

Ulugia will get time again at prop as well with only Kepu, Ryan, Robinson & Tilse in the Squad & EPS, especailly with Lotu Taukeiaho missing a eps spot

 

[Rob42]

So who is coaching the backline? I'm presuming Gaffney, but has Bowen's status been finalised?

And beyond being "tough and professional", can anyone offer a short summary of the way Cheika's teams tend to play?

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Out of interest, why does Lane have such a great reputation? He has not played Shute Shield, he didn't look like a Super rugby player in 2012 and is now recovering from a major knee injury. I would start Barnes over Lane at 10 without hesitation.

 

[I like to watch]

He played well in his debut against the Brumbies.
In any event I heard/read that if QC (Quade Cooper) fucks off, then it's all bets off & he goes back to Qld.
As I am sure QC (Quade Cooper) is going(regardless of JON/RD),I would assume Lane will be heading back to Qld,

 

[scaraby]

Lane played well agst Brumbies and was kept for the next week when he did his knee...he also played for Western Province in S.A and is a QLDER so the travel 5 times a week to Sydney to play shute shield was too much.
Report from Australian below. talking about a get out clause by the way if Quaide leaves??
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...ade-cooper-quits/story-e6frg7o6-1226493957231

Lane set up a try for backrower Scott Higginbotham with a chip kick and kicked two conversions and two penalty goals.
The result of that game ended up determining whether the Reds or the Brumbies finished on top of the Australian conference and reached the play-offs.
Even when Harris and Lucas returned from injury the following week, McKenzie retained Lane at five-eighth for the match with the Stormers in Brisbane. He sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opening minute and the Reds lost 23-13.
It is unlikely the Waratahs would be happy about losing a player of Lane's potential.
"Sam has already proven himself at Super Rugby level and clearly has good breeding," new coach Michael Cheika said in a statement yesterday. "What's most impressive is he decided to join us instead of taking a full contract with the Reds because this is where he wants to play his rugby. We're delighted to have him."

 

[Hawko]

A bit of catch and passing practice - about 10 times a week - would do no harm, nor would some practice in deceiving opponents, nor playing flatter to the tackle line. Most of all though they need the will to try something other than kicking the ball - and if they do kick, to kick and chase it well.
.

I trust you meant 10 sessions a week. About 10 individual times is what I thought they would have almost reached this year, based on their game displays!

 

[fatprop]

They were pretty good this year at catching and passing 10m before contact, it was when those damn pesky defenders got in the way our backs had issues

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Have we started pre-season training yet?

Already 1996 posts - wow.

Wonder what happens when we start winning?

 

[qwerty51]

Pre-season usually starts late October

 

[waratahjesus]

I believe that most of the team has already started training.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Is there a genuine off season any more?

The lads in the Wobs, will be training through.

If there is no formally Waratah Training, the players should be keeping their cardio fitness up, with some weights sessions as well, to reduce the culture shock when they return to the formal squad environment.

This should be one of the lessons learned from Season 2012.

 

[Braveheart81]

From the latest From the Locker Room, official pre-season training starts on Monday.